Lamotrigine is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.

Lamotrigine is used either alone or in combination with other medications to treat epileptic seizures in adults and children. Lamotrigine is also used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder (manic depression).

The immediate-release form of lamotrigine (Lamictal, Lamictal ODT) can be used in children as young as 2 years old when it is given as part of a combination of seizure medications. However, this form should not be used as a single medication in a child or teenager who is younger than 16 years old.

The extended-release form of lamotrigine (Lamictal XR) is for use only in adults and children who are at least 13 years old.

Lamotrigine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lamical 25 mg DT

elliptical, white, imprinted with GX CL5

Lamical 5 mg DT

oblong, white, imprinted with GX CL5

Lamictal 100 mg

hexagonal, peach, imprinted with LAMICTAL 100

Lamictal 150 mg

shield, white, imprinted with LAMICTAL 150

Lamictal 200 mg

hexagonal, blue, imprinted with LAMICTAL 200

Lamictal 25 mg

shield, white, imprinted with LAMICTAL 25

Lamotrigine 100 mg-APO

round, peach, imprinted with APO, LAM 100

Lamotrigine 100 mg-TEV

diamond, pink, imprinted with 9 3, 463

Lamotrigine 150 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with APO, LAM 150

Lamotrigine 150 mg-TEV

diamond, yellow, imprinted with 9 3, 7247

Lamotrigine 200 mg-APO

round, blue, imprinted with APO, LAM 200

Lamotrigine 200 mg-TEV

diamond, blue, imprinted with 9 3, 7248

Lamotrigine 25 mg Chew-TEV

oval, white, cherry, imprinted with 132, 93

Lamotrigine 25 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with APO, LAM 25

Lamotrigine 25 mg-TEV

diamond, white, imprinted with 9 3, 39

Lamotrigine 5 mg Chew-TEV

round, white, cherry, imprinted with 93, 688

What are the possible side effects of lamotrigine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; fever; swollen glands; painful sores in or around your eyes or mouth; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Lamotrigine may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in children and in people who take too high of a dose at the start of treatment with lamotrigine. Serious skin rash may also be more likely to occur if you are taking lamotrigine together with valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote). Seek emergency medical attention if you have a fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

If you have to stop taking lamotrigine because of a serious skin rash, you may not be able to take it again in the future.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about lamotrigine?

Before taking lamotrigine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, or if you are allergic to other seizure medications.

Lamotrigine may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in children and in people who take too high of a dose at the start of treatment with lamotrigine. Serious skin rash may also be more likely to occur if you are taking lamotrigine together with valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote).

Seek emergency medical attention if you have: fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Do not stop taking lamotrigine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using lamotrigine suddenly.

Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking lamotrigine.

Taking this medication during early pregnancy can increase the risk of the baby being born with cleft lip or cleft palate. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant during treatment.